Job I really want (applying, interview, employers, interest)
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Just applied for a job that I really want. Its for an Athletic Director at a high school. It's in a perfect location and everything about the job is great. But, there are over 100 applicants for the job. I have a background in athletics having worked at the high school, college and professional level in athletics. The school will start looking over resumes soon, but I am wondering what I could do to stand out and get an interview.
Does anyone have any advice of what I can do to stand out out of 100 plus applicants?
I have thought of having some of my contacts in pro sports (NBA) calling the Head of the school to recommend me.
I have also thought of having another Head of School who previously offered me its Athletic Director position (which I turned down) call and recommend.
I thought of actually flying down to the city where the school is located and dropping by to speak with the Head of School about my interest in the position. This would be a really lengthy drive and costly just to fly down and talk about the position.
If I thought I knew someone who could make a call and possibly get me noticed I probably would. With over 100 resumes it is just difficult to stand out without doing something.
If you can get your foot in the door, use any and all contacts to get to that stage.
If you do get an interview be yourself. True enthusiasm cannot be fabricated and it is infectious. Be careful not to get too enthusiastic and wander into scary/desperate land.
I agree with using the contacts, as my sister did when applying for a job in the sports industry (which she got). It doesn't guarantee you the job, but will certainly increase your chances & help you to stand out. Good luck!
I wouldn't just drop in--I know it really irritates me when people do that and disrupt my work flow. I would use your contacts and ask them to call on your behalf, although I might stay away from the NBA one, you don't want to appear as a "name dropper" and would probably ask the Head of School to make the call.
One of the things that gave one of my recent hires a solid leg up was a call I received from someone in my extended network giving them a very strong reference.
Don't be discouraged. Just because they received a lot of resumes, doesn't mean there are a lot of qualified applicants. The internet has made sending resumes so easy that many people apply for anything, regardless of qualifications or experience.
In my experience, no matter how many resumes I receive, 20 percent are decent and 10 stand a real shot. There rest are basically recycling.
It's fine to use a contact, but I would suggest a letter of recommendation rather than a phone call. No one likes playing phone tag. Getting the right person on the phone is tricky and a recommendation is not something you want to leave on voicemail. Also, if there are multiple people that are making the decision, they can all read the letter.
Thanks for the suggestions. I think what I will do is ask the Head of School that had offered me the same position to write a letter of reference to the Head of school for where I just applied. I will also call the interim Athletic Director who I think will have a say in the hiring process and ask him if it would be okay if I got a flight to the school and meet with him to talk with him in person and get a tour of the school. Flight is roughly $180 and I can fly in and leave the same day.
Just applied for a job that I really want. Its for an Athletic Director at a high school. It's in a perfect location and everything about the job is great. But, there are over 100 applicants for the job. I have a background in athletics having worked at the high school, college and professional level in athletics. The school will start looking over resumes soon, but I am wondering what I could do to stand out and get an interview.
Does anyone have any advice of what I can do to stand out out of 100 plus applicants?
I have thought of having some of my contacts in pro sports (NBA) calling the Head of the school to recommend me.
I have also thought of having another Head of School who previously offered me its Athletic Director position (which I turned down) call and recommend.
I thought of actually flying down to the city where the school is located and dropping by to speak with the Head of School about my interest in the position. This would be a really lengthy drive and costly just to fly down and talk about the position.
If anyone can chime in, I would appreciate it.
Thanks
I'm not trying to knock you I commend you on thinking outside the box you have to in this economy and especially if there are over 100 resumes.
Having someone else call on your behalf if htey don't have any affiliation with the school is not a good idea in my opinion. Nobody likes name droppers and that is essentially what you are doing. Also it sort of comes off as going over the head of the hiring person. Just my opinion but it kind of comes off as saying your just a high school athletic director, your probably not smart enought o knwo to hire me so let me have Dwayne Wade call you and tell you that you have to hire me.
I think your on the right track though, instead of email or regular mail maybe send a your resume in a large fedex package, maybe enclose a shoe and say something like "hire me and lets get off to a running start" lol. I realize those ideas may be stupid but like you said you gotta do something to stand out.
Employers are not interested in your abilities in the abstract. They want to know how you can solve their problems. How do you know what their problems are? They tell you in the job description. Make sure you're applying for the job they're offering, not the job you want.
Don't underestimate the power of a targeted and well-crafted cover letter. Type the job description into a Word document. Then write a sentence or two outlining your experience matching the job description point-by-point. The order is important as well. The qualities and experience that they care about most are listed first. Once you've covered every point, shape the sentences into paragraphs and use the paragraphs as the body of your cover letter.
Be sure to have someone else proof the letter. You're applying to an academic institution. Even if you're not teaching English, you will represent the school. They won't want someone who makes careless mistakes (or worse).
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